Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s security agencies are investigating several prominent politicians from the country’s northern region over their alleged involvement in the use of Russian flags by protesters during the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
Multiple unnamed sources have revealed that at least four political figures from the states of Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano are suspected of being the key instigators behind the protesters’ adoption of the Russian flags. These sources claim the politicians were “principal actors” who encouraged the use of the foreign flags in an effort to stoke unrest and push for an unconstitutional change of government.
“They played prominent roles in the election of last year (2023),” one source said, hinting at potential political motivations behind the flag displays.
Another source alleged that there is evidence of “external influence” from a West African and European country, suggesting the northern politicians may have been colluding with foreign actors to foment chaos.
The nationwide protests, which began as demonstrations against hardship and hunger, took an alarming turn on Monday as protesters in some northern states were seen waving Russian flags and chanting slogans calling for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu.
The Nigerian military has condemned the use of the Russian flags as an act of treason, vowing to prosecute those involved. The Department of State Services has also reported arresting some tailors in Kano who were sewing the foreign flags, along with their suspected sponsors.
Security forces have moved swiftly to clamp down on the protesters flying the Russian flags, leading to a significant reduction in such displays on Tuesday. However, the government’s investigation into the political figures believed to be behind this troubling development is ongoing.
President Tinubu held closed-door talks with top intelligence chiefs on Tuesday, though the specifics of the meeting were not disclosed. The National Security Adviser, heads of the DSS and other security agencies also addressed the media, acknowledging the identification of “masterminds” behind the Russian flag protests, though they declined to reveal their identities at this stage.
In a strong crackdown on dissent, Nigerian authorities have taken aim at individuals they accuse of funding and instigating the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) revealed that it has placed sponsors of the protests who reside outside the country on a watch list. NIS Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap stated that these individuals will be handed over to relevant agencies as soon as they try to enter Nigeria.
“Some of these sponsors, some of these people who are actually in the diaspora, we have a number of them who are actually instigating this mayhem that we’re seeing right now,” Nandap said. “What we have done is we have added them to our watch list.”
The move comes as authorities claim to have uncovered foreign funding and interference in the protests. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said the police have blocked some accounts tied to protest sponsors living abroad, though he declined to provide specifics.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa struck a defiant tone, declaring that security forces would pursue “enemies of the state” who have “continued to encourage unconstitutional takeover of government.”
However, Musa sought to assure that troops have been instructed to respect human rights as they carry out their duties. He urged the youth involved in the protests to “dialogue” and avoid “destruction and mob action.”
The crackdown on protest organizers and financiers signals the government’s determination to quash the growing unrest, even as it faces accusations of heavy-handed tactics. Authorities appear intent on cutting off the flow of resources feeding the nationwide demonstrations against perceived misrule.
